It is not because the chances of making it are small, but because he sees three remaining regular-season games as a chance make an impression.

“For us, if we’re in or we’re out doesn’t matter, but playing our best does,” Fraser said. “Everything we do, the reason the guys are here, is to improve. There are guys who want to see playing for the Wings in their future, and to do that, they have to prove they can play hard, no matter the circumstances.”

The Griffins close with a 7 p.m. home game Friday against the Chicago Wolves, and then play at Hamilton on Saturday (7 p.m.) and Sunday (3 p.m.). Grand Rapids has missed the playoffs the past two seasons.

The Griffins must win all three. At 33-29-7-4 and 77 points, the most points they can finish with in the Western Conference of the AHL is 83. There are five teams (Milwaukee, Houston, Peoria, Lake Erie and Rochester) jockeying in positions five through eight with 82 points. A sixth, Charlotte, is a spot ahead of Grand Rapids in 11th with 81 points.

One glimmer of hope is the schedule. Of the six teams with 81 or 82 points, the Griffins are one of four with three games this weekend, meaning they have at least some control of their fate.

Then there’s the chance the Griffins could get back Gustav Nyquist and Chris Conner, the team’s first and fourth leading scorers. They are with Detroit, but did not play in Wednesday’s 3-2 loss to Nashville in Game 1 of the Western Conference quarterfinals.

“You never know, but I’m not planning on it,” said Fraser. “We have some young guys who are playing well and some veterans, too, that want to make an impression.”

Francis Pare is finishing strong. The fourth-year forward has a nine-game point streak, the longest of any Griffin this season. He has 12 points (2-10) during the streak and is fourth among current players on the team in scoring with 48 points (14-34).